Free Like A Girl with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard wins the 4th running of the Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes named in honor of his late wife. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
New Orleans, La (March 24, 2024) – Free Like a Girl racked up another big win, beating out 10 older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths in the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Trained by Chasey Pomier, Free Like a Girl’s third stakes win on the meet, along with the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff and Doris Hebert, was the 14th added-money score of her career.
“She loves her job,” Pomier said. “I’ve tried giving her some time in between certain races but she doesn’t have any of it. Bucking and squealing in the shedrow, trying to tear down the stall, so I just give in and train her. Corey (jockey Lanerie) put on a perfect ride and we were very excited to win this race.”
Jockey Corey Laneire guided her through the one mile 70 yards on the “fast” main track in 1:43.06. In the race named in memory of his departed wife who passed away from complications with breast cancer, Lanerie has now won back-to-back editions, having piloted Nosilverspoomshere in 2023.
Jockey Corey Lanerie aboard Free Like A Girl points skyward after winning the Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes, named after his late wife. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker
“I want to thank Chasey for letting me ride such a nice horse in such a special race,” Lanerie said. “In Shantel’s memory. It means a lot to me. I was on the best horse, but it got a little eventful at the 5/16ths pole. As I went to pass the 10 horse, he went to spread the turn a little bit, a little more than I wanted. I got a little nervous when Marcelino (Pedroza aboard A G’s Charlotte) cut the corner on me, but she (Free Like a Girl) was just the best horse and gave me the extra effort. She wasn’t going to let anybody by. All my family on both sides come here to support me. We will always be family.”
Thetruthisthetruth showed the way sharply, recording opening quarters of :23.55 and :46.60. Free Like a Girl stalked in the four path through the far turn, but when floated wide had to recover to offer a late rally. Passing Thetruthisthetruth in midstretch, Free Like a Girl finished professionally as Muchmorethanready closed from last to get up for second. A G’s Charlotte got up for third.
With yet another notch in her stakes win belt, Free Like a Girl bolstered her career mark to 37-17-10-5 with earnings of $1,305,978.
Free Like a Girl returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20. Muchmorethanready paid out $6.00 and $3.60 and A G’s Charlotte was worth $2.80 to show.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The millionaire Free Like a Girl could be making a return trip to Oaklawn Park next month for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap.
Trainer Chasey Deville-Pomier said the Louisiana-bred is under consideration for the race following her allowance win over the local track Friday. She liked how Free Like a Girl had emerged from the race as of Saturday morning and said she was to ship to Evangeline Downs on Sunday.
“She looked beautiful – ate up everything, playing in the stall – her normal self,” Deville-Pomier said. “I think we’re aiming for the Shantel Lanerie at Fair Grounds and possibly the Apple Blossom back at Oaklawn. It was kind of the talk after yesterday. We wanted to see how she handled the track first – and obviously, as long as she’s doing good and everything’s good with her.”
Touchuponastar Turns Back Tumbarumba for Consecutive Classic
Touchuponastar with jockey Timothy Thornton aboard pulls away to win the 32nd running of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
The top three finishers in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic were bred by Coteau Grove Farms
New Orleans, La (Dec. 9, 2023) – Set-Hut’s phenom Touchuponastar set the pace and turned back Tumbarumba’s far-turn bid to win his second $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 4-year-old son of Star Guitar out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic was bred by Coteau Grove, along with the second and third-place finishers, Tumbarumba and Cosmic Train.
When the top two Classic finishers went eyeball to eyeball in the far turn, it was only a matter of a few strides before Touchuponastar put Tumbarumba away and quickly took an insurmountable 3-length advantage. Tumbarumba never stopped trying to re-engage, making up ground late.
Trained by Jeff Delhomme and guided by jockey Tim Thornton, Touchuponastar finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Tumbarumba and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.12.
“He’s all class,” Thornton said. “I knew when he got away clean in the first jump that they were going to have to run today to beat him. I was in-hand waiting. He’s such a great horse, they’ve done such a great job with him. It’s a joy to ride him.”
With a lifetime record of 13-10-2-1 and $618,100 in purses, the question remains could former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme’s Touchuponastar step out of Louisiana and take on top stakes routers.
“The Louisiana breeders program is so great over here,” trainer Jeff Delhomme said. “It gives us the opportunity to run for the money. We don’t need to chase the money. We can stay right here. Would we like another chance next year in the Steve Sexton? Yes. Maybe try him this year in the New Orleans Classic? Yes. I don’t think we need to go far to take on better competition but I think all these Louisiana-breds are giving us all we can handle right now.”
On hand in the winner’s circle, Keith and Ginger Myers of Coteau Grove Farms were able to witness a few of the best of their breeding program run first, second, and third in the Classic.
“What’s special is where we are,” Keith Myers said. “We’re here at home in Louisiana. We’re very close to Jake (Delhomme), and we see the Delhommes as our family. Having success together makes it more special. To have three who were bred at the farm run one, two, three–it’s quite rewarding. Touchuponastar was big and athletic (as a yearling), but I don’t remember having thoughts that this was going to be the one. Really it was a little bit of a surprise.”
Mangum Cuts Back, Surges Late to Win $100,000 Sprint
Mangum wins the 2023 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Hodges Photo.
After winning the Classic with Touchuponastar earlier in the card, Jake Delhomme’s Set-Hut stepped back into the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots winner’s circle as Mangum surged late through traffic to surprise Bron and Brow in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.
Finishing 1/2 lengths back, Bron and Brow survived a steward’s review to secure place honors. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, Mangum covered the six furlongs in 1:10.83.
“Jake (brother Delhomme) studied the Form last night,” Jeff said. “And the best numbers he threw were sprinting at Evangeline and Delta so we took a chance (running in the Sprint) and it worked out. We’ve got the entire family here. Winning big races on a day like this is like a dream come true.”
Winner of the Jacob V. Morreale going 1 mile 70 yards over opening weekend, Mangum was guided by Corey Lanerie in both stakes scores.
“Hats off to the entire team,” Lanerie said. “They had this horse ready. He was a lot better than the last time I rode him. We took a lot of dirt early and I was running out of goggles. We had to find somewhere to go. I was rerouting. We found a hole and luckily we had the horse to do it. It’s fun when you get there in time because a lot of times you don’t.”
In the mix against a full field of 14, bettors backed Mangum to the tune of 9-2.
With the Sprint score, the rising 3-year-old now boasts a 12-7-1-3 lifetime record totaling $315,360 in purse earnings.
According to Design Behemah Star Shines on Turf
Behemah Star with J. A. Guerrero aboard captures the 32nd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
With little early speed signed on for the 33rd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf, Behemah Star stole to the front ahead of the far turn and turned back Who Took the Money in the final stages to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Trainer Shane Wilson had cross-entered Brittlyn Stable’s son of Star Guitar in the Classic, but opted for the Turf.
“This was the total plan,” Wilson said. “We entered in both races. Earlier in the week I got beat on the turf when speed went to the front and we tried to be tactical but they didn’t come back to us. I handicapped this race and didn’t see any speed in here so we decided to go in this spot. (Behemah Star) had run once on the turf and he was forward to run second. We wanted to do something similar again today. It worked out.”
Ridden by jockey Jose Guerrero, Behemah Star pressed the pace through the first two calls and covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.76.
“The plan was to get him out aggressively from the gate,” Guerrero said. “It worked pretty well. I was able to get in a perfect spot behind the inside horse and he slowed down so I slowed down with him, saving energy, and when we got to the 3/8ths pole he exploded and finished it off in front from there.”
Behemah Star rewarded his backers to the tune of 18-1. With a career record of 19-5-5-4, Behmah Star’s first turf tally upped his bank to $309,821.
Ova Charged Survives Photo for Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint Three-peat
Ova Charged with jockey J. A. Guerrero aboard gets a head in front of Basalt Street to win the17th running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Employing her signature stalking speed, Ova Charged beat Basalt Street by a thin lip to take her third $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint in a row. Stablemate Spirited Beauty ran third. Together with Behemah Star’s Turf win, Brittlyn Stable added two on the day for a record 17 Louisiana Champions Day victories in 33 years of running
By the ubiquitous stallion Star Guitar, the Shane Wilson trainee ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.67. At 7-5 under jockey Jose Guerrero, Ova Charged has now won 9 times in 12 tries with one place-finish, racking up $428,780 in purses along the way.
After the race trainer Shane Wilson said, “She was coming off the layoff and we’re trying to get her ready for this date. We skipped the race opening day because I didn’t think she was ready….We hoped her talent and guts would get us there and it worked out. She got a little heavy (tired) at the end but she got there. If you want to win races in Louisiana, then breed to Star Guitar. He’s had more starters and winners today than any other stallion. If you want to be in these big races, then breed to Star Guitar. The credit goes to Miss Evelyn (Benoit). Instead of standing him in Kentucky she kept him here for the local people so we have a chance to have horses like this.”
Free Like a Girl Wires the $100,000 Distaff
Free Like A Girl with jockey Vicente Del-Cid wins the 32nd running of the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Leading the pack of fillies at every call, Gerald Bruno Jr., Chasey Deville Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’s Free Like a Girl proved much the best wiring the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Distaff field on Saturday. Holding off all advances, the 4-year-old daughter of El Deal rolled down the homestretch as A G’s Charlotte scrambled to get second, a distant 4 3/4 lengths back.
Trainer Chasey Pomier had entered the versatile 4-year-old in both the Distaff and the Sprint, and just like ahead of her score last out in the Doris Hebert, it was a last-minute decision.
With Vicente Del-Cid back in the irons, Free Like a Girl covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.49.
“We made the decision to run in the Distaff instead of the Ladies Sprint this morning. It’s what we needed to do for her.” said Chasey Pomier, trainer and part-owner. “We thought about the route race last year but ended up going in the Sprint (second to Ova Charged). She’s matured (since then) and we thought she could go the distance today. Going right to the lead was not in my plan but it worked. I take it race by race. She’s going to tell me when she wants to go.”
The recently minted millionaire added $60,000 to bump her bankroll to $1,066,578 and her career record to a hard-knocking 32-15-8-4. The fans knew, making Free Like a Girl the 8-5 favorite.
Good and Stout Just Good Enough in $100,000 Juvenile
Good And Stout with jockey C. J. McMahon gets a nose in front of El Dinero to win the 32nd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
C.J. McMahon’s first win at the meet came on the center stage as he guided Whispering Oaks Farm’s Good and Stout to the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner’s circle on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Going 6 furlongs in 1:12.22, the son of Coal Front held off the late rail rally of El Dinero by a nose. Trained by Carol Castille, Good and Stout’s freshman grade card tallies up to 5-2-1-1 along with $101,000 in the piggy bank. Prescient backers were paid $4.80 on each dollar wagered.
Owner and trainer, Carrol Castille, said of his of Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner Good and Stout, “We breed a bunch but we buy some at the sales too, kind of a mixture of both. He was a nice looking individual. We like him a lot. Got lucky and were able to buy the right one. Louisiana-breds dominate our stable and we like to run at home. This colt has been great from day one. He’s very smart, does everything right and he’s a really nice horse to be around. We had a little misfortune at Delta. That DQ was tough, but it’s horse racing and you just have to roll with it. He showed his talent and we got some redemption today, that’s all that matters. I think this horse will want to go further. He’s still learning and developing.
Accommodate Eva Flies Late in Lassie
Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. makes a late charge to capture the 32nd running of the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Flying down the center of the track late, Valene Farm’s Accommodate Eva nailed Clearly a Test to win the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie by 3/4 lengths. After routing in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, trainer Dallas Stewart’s decision to cut back the freshman daughter proved wise.
Under Brian Hernandez Jr., Accommodate Eva was sent postward at 4-1 and covered the six furlongs in 1:11.98. With a 6-2-0-1 record, the daughter of Munnings, maiden win came at Keeneland against open company. Accommodate Eva’s freshman earnings tally $126,230.
After the race Dallas Stewart, trainer of Lassie winner Accommodate Eva, said “I love the filly. She trains great all the time. Murray Valene picked her out as a yearling. We think she’s got everything in front of her, we think she’ll be a two-turn horse, and she’s going to be very nice.”
Free Like A Girl becomes the latest Louisiana Bred Millionaire with her win in the Doris Hebert Memorial Stakes. Hodges Photo
“Back in the Big Easy to Become a Millionaire,” Free Like a Girl Bags the Hebert
New Orleans, La (Nov. 17, 2023) – Opening day of the 152nd racing season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will forever be remembered as the day Free Like a Girl surpassed $1 million in career earnings. Overcoming a claustrophobic trip, the Louisiana Champion filly as both a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old spurted away from the field of 11 to win the $75,000 Doris Hebert Memorial by 3/4 length over a persistent Olivia G.
Gerald Bruno, Jr., Chasey Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’s daughter of El Deal covered the 6 furlongs in 1:12.12 across a main track rated “good.” Even money was the reward for her backers in the win pool
Trained by Chasey Pomier, Free Like a Girl was piloted by Vicente Del Cid. Sticking her nose across the milestone threshold, the 4-year-old out the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize now boasts $1,006,578 in lifetime earnings and a career record of 31: 14-8-4. Free Like a Girl was bred by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne.
Vale Male is victorious in the John Valene Memorial Stakes. Hodges photo
Wire to Wire Was the Way for Vale Male in the Valene Memorial
Though never having led the pack at any opening call in her first 13 races, D & S Stables’ Vale Male did just that and more to win the $75,000 John Valene Memorial wire-to-wire on Friday. Breaking sharply outside of seven older fillies and mares, the daughter of Bodemeister out of the Kantharos dam Wildwood Kantharos dropped down to occupy the vacancy and never looked back through the 1 mile 70 yards. Beating A G’s Charlotte by 3/4 lengths, the 4-year-old stopped the clock at 1:45.20 to pay 9.50 – 1.
Trained by James “Sweets” Hodges, Vale Male received the heads-up services of jockey James Graham, who with this victory sits nine back from career win 3,000. Bred by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall, Vale Male now tallies a career record of 14: 5-3-2 adding up to $172,440 in lifetime earnings.
Jockey J.A. Guerrero pilots Clearly A Test to victory in the 2nd running of the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Home From Saratoga, Louisiana’s Own Clearly a Test Breaks Maiden in the Ferguson Stakes
Louisiana-bred through and through, Brittlyn Stables’ homebred Clearly a Test returned home from her summer racing at Saratoga to break her maiden in the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial. Drawn inside against a field of 14 juvenile fillies, the daughter of Clearly Now hit the gate and had to fight her way from near the back in the 5 1/2-furlong dirt sprint under jockey Jose Guerrero. Advancing along the rail, it wasn’t until the far turn that she boldly maneuvered to the outside, but once she did her talented kick moved her to the front of the 2021 class. Sealing the deal in 1:06.95, Clearly a Test beat out Tommie G by 1 1/2 lengths, paying 1.60 as the post-time favorite.
Trained by Shane Wilson, the daughter of Clearly Now out of the Star Guitar dam Testing One Two is now 4:1-0-0 with $63,900 in earnings.
Louisiana Champions Preview Weekend features six stakes
The La-bred deck is stacked in favor of a big weekend for Dallas Stewart
Cross-entered Free Like A Girl’s connection must decide sprint or route
Brittlyn Stables’ familiar faces enter multiple stakes but will walk over from a new barn
New Orleans, La (Nov. 16, 2023) – The table is set for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ 152nd season, and there’s an extra helping of Louisiana-bred stakes to feast upon one week ahead of the 99th running of Thanksgiving Classic. Three of the nine races carded for opening day on Friday, Nov. 17, are statebred stakes for females: The Doris Hebert, The John Valene, and The Donovan L. Ferguson. With 10 races slated for Saturday, the males will take centerstage in the three feature stakes: The Joseph R. Peluso, The Jacob V. Morreale, and the Larry D. Robideaux. Run in memory of departed members of Fair Grounds racing community, each carries a $75,000 purse and serve as the perfect springboard for Louisiana Champions Day on Dec 9. First post on both Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (all times Central).
Friday’s spotlight will be on Louisiana-bred fillies and mares
Cross-entered in the Doris Hebert Memorial 6-furlong sprint (Race 6) and the 1 mile and 70 yards John Valene Memorial (Race 8), Gerald Bruno Jr., Chasey Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’s Free Like a Girl will look to return to form on Friday. Made the morning line favorite in both, 9-5 in the Hebert and 2-1 in the Valene, the sensational filly trained by Chasey Pomier is winless since taking the Distaff and Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Sprint in early summer, both at Evangeline Downs. Vicente Del-Cid gets the call to help reverse the three-race slide, which will be his first race aboard the 13-time winner who would surpass $1 million in earnings if she were able to be victorious in whichever stakes her connections settle on.
It would be fitting if Sabra Tuff was able to seize the day in the John Valene. Owned by Valene Farms’ Murray Valene, Sabra Tuff’s first race against fellow statebreds is in a stakes named for Murray’s father, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 100. The daughter of Cross Traffic beat her odds finishing fourth in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and more recently finished fourth to Randomized in the Alabama (G1). The 3-year-old’s stablemate Accommodate Eva runs in Race 9, the Donovan L. Ferguson, a 5 1/2 furlong sprint for juvenile fillies, and she has followed a similarly ambitious path, entering fresh off a 10th-place finish in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
On Saturday, Nov 19 the focus shifts to Louisiana-bred colts and geldings
A field of nine La-bred juvenile males will line up in the starting gates for the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes, a 5 1/2 furlong sprint across the main track. In a wide-open affair of well-bred but lightly-raced juveniles, the DS Young Futurity winner, Tav Enterprises’ El Dinero, was tabbed as the morning line favorite at 7-2. The son of El Deal traveled wide when finishing third last out in the Louisiana Legacy at Delta Downs in October. Scheduled as Race 5, the Ferguson is the first leg of the 15% takeout $1 Pick 6. Post time is 2:45 p.m.
The confidence of Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star might be on the rise as soon as he scans the paddock ahead of the Jacob V. Morreale to find Touchuponastar, his brother by another mother, is not there. That foe has kept him out of the winner’s circle four times in the past year. In the field of nine, there are two others who have proven difficult for the 5-year-old, as Who Took the Money and Mangum both enter to take on Brittlyn Stables’ beloved son of Star Guitar. With two third-place finishes since Brittlyn Stables moved Behemah and the rest of their stars into the care of Shane Wilson, the 4-time winner will reunite with last year’s leading rider Rey Gutierrez, who triumphantly piloted Behemah in the 2022 Star Guitar Stakes. Written at 1 mile 70 yards across the main track, a distance at which Behemah has never finished out of the money, the Morreale will go as Race 7. Post time is scheduled for 3:45 p.m.
The Larry D. Robideaux Memorial promises to be a thriller as 13 statebred, male 3-years-old and up will rip through 6 dirt furlongs trying to assert their supremacy atop the division ahead of Louisiana Champions Day. In last year’s edition the pace boiled over setting up for a late rail run from Brian’s Iron Mike, and though new faces join the cast of familiar characters, the second running of the Robideaux could unfold in a similar fashion.
Cross-entered in the Morreale, Set-Hut’s Mangum gets the lukewarm 4-1 nod by morning line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto. Having carried low weight of 111 pounds in two of his last three stakes victories, if the Jeff Delhomme trainee were to run in the Robideaux, he would travel with 122 pounds and Treylon Albert on his back.
Mangum holds off Free Like A Girl to win the inaugural Louisiana Stallion Stakes at EVD. Coady Photography.
OPELOUSAS, LA –Mangum outdueled Free Like a Girl to capture the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms. The race was contested over a track rated as fast for the evening.
Breaking sharply from post three, Mangum went to the front with Free Like a Girl tracking his every move from her outside post. The early tempo was controlled with fractions of 25.42 seconds for the opening quarter mile and a tepid 49.77 seconds for the half-mile split. Double on the Red and Behemah Star were traveling just behind the leaders as the field made their way into the far turn.
Mangum was under pressure as Free Like a Girl moved to challenge as they traveled six furlongs in 1:14.50. In the sprint to the finish, Mangum would not let Free Like a Girl get by and held on for the victory by a head. It was a gap of eight lengths back to third place finisher Behemah Star. The winner stropped the timer in 1:39.44.
Trained by Jeff Delhomme, Mangum wins for the third time from eight career starts and earns $63,600 in the victory. His career bankroll now stands at $159,960.
Owned by Set-Hut LLC (Jake Delhomme), Mangum is a 3-year-old bay gelding sired by Mo Tom and out of the Graeme Hall mare Bovell Road. He was bred by Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC & J. Adcock.
Mangum returned $10 to win, $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Favored Free Like a Girl paid $2.10 to place, $2.10 to show and Behemah Star paid $2.10 to show.
BIG FAMILY NIGHT CROWD ON HAND FOR MARQUEE NIGHT OF RACING
OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs hosted the annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds with an exciting Louisiana Legends Night card on Saturday. The card featured six stake races each worth $100,000 for state-bred runners and were contested over courses rated fast and firm.
Evangeline Downs honored some past Louisiana Legends throughout the evening. Race fans were asked to nominate their own legends on Facebook. Merrill Scherer, Ray Sibille, Ron Ardoin, Doris Hebert, Buster Leger and Harold Delahoussaye were the top nominees by the fans and were recognized during the card.
FREE LIKE A GIRL STAYS UNBEATEN AT EVANGELINE DOWNS IN MADEMOISELLE VICTORY
Free Like A Girl wins the Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes. Kimmy Burrow, Coady Photography.
Free Like a Girl again showed her fondness for the local racing strip in her Mademoiselle win. With Jockey Tim Thornton aboard, Free Like a Girl was in midpack running down the backstretch as Wupkar and Beleout sped through early fractions of 22.50 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and a half-mile split in 46.22. Moved outside to produce a four-wide bid, Free Like a Girl was able to collar the leaders nearing the furlong pole and pulled forward in the final 100 yards. The winning margin was 1-3/4 lengths at the wire, with Beleout second and First I’ve Seen another 1-1/4 lengths back in third. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee moves to a perfect five for five over the local strip. The final time for the 5-1/2 furlongs was 1:05.17.
Bred by Kim Renee Stover and Lisa Osborne, the 4-year-old bay filly was sired by El Deal and is out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize. Owned by the partnership of Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, she wins for the thirteenth time in 27 starts and earns $60,000. Her career bankroll now stands at $930,378.
Free Like a Girl returned $3.80 to win as the wagering favorite, $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Beleout paid $7.60 to place, $6 to show and First I’ve Seen paid $4.40 to show.
Keith Plaisance’s Cheapskate Diva made a sharp bid for the lead turning for home and held off favored A G’s Charlotte to capture the Turf Distaff. Away in good order under jockey Carlos Marquez, Cheapskate Diva tracked the early lead of Eve’s Delight through fractions of 24.08 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.43 seconds for the half-mile. Cheapskate Diva made a move to take the lead at the top of the stretch and remained clear in the run to the wire to win by 2-1/2 lengths. A G’s Charlotte made a mild bid without threatening the winner and won a photo for second by a nose over a late closing Wholelottamo. The winner stopped the clock in a time of 1:35.80 for the mile distance.
The Joseph Felks trained runner is a 5-year-old bay mare sired by Animal Kingdom and is out of the Candy Ride (ARG) mare Beautiful Liar. Bred by the owner, Cheapskate Diva wins for the fifth time from 15 career starts. Earning $60,000 in the victory, her career bankroll increases to $176,640.
Cheapskate Diva returned $11.40 to win, $4.80 to place and $2.80 to show. A G’s Charlotte returned $2.80 to place, $2.20 to show and Wholelottamo paid $2.40 to show.
ALLNIGHT MOONLIGHT GETS NECK VICTORY OVER MANGUM IN CHEVAL STAKES
Roger Smith’s Allnight Moonlight dug in late to win a spirited stretch battle over Mangum in the Cheval. With Tim Thornton in the irons, Allnight Moonlight broke smoothly but was caught with a wide trip through the clubhouse turn as Calibrachoa Kid set the pace with Macho Beanie and Clear as a Bele the closest pursuers. Mangum made a bid to take the lead at the top of the stretch, as Allnight Moonlight ranged up while still covering extra ground. The pair squared off and battled to the wire with Allnight Moonlight winning by a neck. It was a big gap of ten lengths back to The Boss Soss in third. The running time for the mile was 1:39.59.
Bred by Coteau Grove Farms LLC and trained by David Terre, the winner is a 3-year-old colt sired by Ransom the Moon and out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Gingertini. A winner for the fourth time from eight career starts, the $60,000 winner’s share pushes his career bankroll to $229,000.
Allnight Moonlight rewarded his backers with a $6 win price, $4.80 to place and $3.60 to show. Mangum paid $6.80 to place, $5.20 to show and The Boss Soss returned $6 to show.
LOUISIANA LIBERTY TAKES SOIREE STAKES IN DRAMATIC FASHION
Louisiana Liberty wins the Louisiana Legends Soiree Stakes. Kimmy Burrow, Coady Photography.
Jockey Gerard Melancon and Louisiana Liberty sustained a wide rally in a last to first move to capture the Soiree. The early fractions were steady as Highly Wicked set the pace with New Destiny and Sixth Anniversary close behind through an opening quarter mile in 24.08 seconds and a half-mile in 48.38 seconds. Louisiana Liberty was wide down the backside at the tail of the field and began to make some headway with a bid entering the far turn, as favored Star Moment also moved into contention. The duo moved in tandem to battle for the lead inside the final furlong, with Louisiana Liberty edging clear in the final yards to win by a half-length. It was another 1-3/4 lengths back to Highly Wicked holding on for the show spot. The final time for the mile was 1:40.79.
Bred by Coteau Grove Farms LLC and owned by Whispering Oaks Farm LLC (Carrol Castille), Louisiana Liberty is a 3-year-old filly sired by Cloud Computing. She is out of the Pleasant Tap mare Pleasantly Blessed. Winning for only the second time in 11 career starts, her career bankroll increases to $135,230.
Louisiana Liberty, trained by Steven Flint, paid $23.20 to win, $6.80 to place and $4 to show. Star Moment returned $2.60 to place, $2.20 to show and Highly Wicked paid $4.60 to show.
WOODS N WATER VICTORIOUS IN TURF STAKES
Woods N Water wins the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes. Kimmy Burrow, Coady Photography.
Jockey Tommy Pompell sent Woods N Water through a narrow opening on the far turn to battle for the lead and edged clear to win the Turf. Always in close attendance to the early pace being set by Carlea’s Dream, Woods N Water was caught in some traffic as longshot Double on the Red made a bid nearest the rail entering the far turn. As the field approached the top of the stretch, Woods N Water kicked into another gear and burst through the pack to take the lead. The Lee Thomas trainee pulled away to win by 1-1/2 lengths in the end, with late closing Budro Talking running second and Deer Crossing another length back in third. The running time for the mile and a sixteenth on the turf was hand timed in 1:42.28.
Owned by Richard Painter and Dewberry Farm (John Kent III), the winner was sired by Palace and is out of the First Samurai mare Said and Done. Bred by Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc. and Richard Painter, Woods N Water is a 4-year-old bay gelding. A winner for the sixth time in 17 starts, his career bankroll increases to $186,255.
Woods N Water returned $5.80 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Budro Talking paid $4.40 to place, $3.40 to show and Deer Crossing paid $3.80 to show.
DEL-CID PILOTS BLACK SWORD TO SPRINT VICTORY
Black Sword wins the Louisiana Legends Sprint Stakes. Kimmy Burrow, Coady Photography.
Black Sword captured his second stakes win of the season in the Sprint. Jockey Vicente Del-Cid was able to work out a trip similar to his triumph in the King Creole last month with a sharp start. Sitting just off the early fractions of 22.27 and 46.15 being set by Grunt, Black Sword ranged up to take the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled away to a convincing two-length margin over Big Chopper. Grunt held on well to finish third just a nose better than Mike J. The final time for the 5-1/2 furlongs was 1:04.84.
Trained by Ronnie Averett and owned by Treanor MD LLC (Leonard Treanor, MD), Black Sword is a 6-year-old dark bay or brown gelding. Bred by Margie Averett, he was sired by Awesome Sword and is out of the Devil His Due mare Black Mariah. A winner for the eighth time from 25 starts, his career bankroll increases to $274,705.
Black Sword returned $6.40 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Big Chopper paid $4.80 to place, $3.40 to show and Grunt paid $6.80 to show.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website atwww.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing. Live racing resumes Thursday with a 5:30pm Central first post. The racing calendar for the remainder of the 2023 season is Thursday through Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on August 12.
JOCKEY TIM THORNTON WINS FOUR RACES WITH A STAKES DOUBLE
FREE LIKE A GIRL REIGNS SUPREME IN THE $60,000 EVANGELINE DISTAFF
Free Like A Girl wins EVD Distaff. Coady Photography
OPELOUSAS, LA –Free Like a Girl kept her local record unblemished with a victory in the $60,000 EVD Distaff on Friday night. The Distaff was part of a three-stake program that included the new Cajun Miss and Creole Lady. The stake races, all for Louisiana-bred runners, were contested over a track rated fast.
Jockey Tim Thornton and Free Like a Girl broke sharply to contest the early lead in the Distaff with Mishpachah, who hopped slightly at the start. A G’s Charlotte, a stake winner earlier in the meet, was also away in good order and tracked the leaders from third through opening fractions of 24.35 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.29 for the half-mile. As the field entered the far turn, Free Like a Girl edged forward to take a slim lead from Mishpachah, while A G’s Charlotte moved closer in third.
Through six furlongs in 1:13.10, Free Like a Girl had assumed a length lead as A G’s Charlotte moved in to second and set the stage for the stretch duel. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee would not be denied and held sway for a two-length victory. A G’s Charlotte finished second with Mishpachah another seven lengths back in third. The running time for the mile was 1:39.09 for the 3-year-old and up filly and mares.
Owned by the partnership of Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, Free like a Girl captured her 12th career victory from 26 career starts. With the $36,000 winning share, her career bankroll grows to $870,378.
The winner is a bay 4-year-old filly. Sired by El Deal, she is out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize.
Free Like a Girl returned $4.20 to win as the slight betting favorite, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. A G’s Charlotte paid $2.10 to place, $2.10 to show and Mishpachah returned $2.10 to show.
STAR MOMENT EARNS SECOND CAREER STAKES IN CAJUN MISS
Star Moment take the Inaugural Running of the Cajun Miss Stakes at EVD. Coady Photography
Star Moment parlayed a stalking trip into her second career stakes victory in the $60,000 Cajun Miss. With jockey Tim Thornton in the irons, Star Moment was away in good order and tracked the speed of Kyle Beauty through quick early fractions of 22.49 seconds for an opening quarter-mile and 45.33 for a half-mile.
As the field of 3-year-old fillies made their way to the top of the stretch, Star Moment had collared Kyle Beauty and was starting to edge clear. The final winning margin was 4-1/2 lengths, as Kyle Beauty held on for second, with Louisiana Liberty another ¾-lengths back in third. The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:25.05.
Owned by Intrepid Thoroughbreds LLC (Logan Trotter and Tyron Picard) and trained by Bret Calhoun, Star Moment wins for the third time in five career starts. The winning share of $36,000 increases her career bankroll to $127,530.
Bred in Louisiana by Brittlyn, Inc., she is a bay filly sired by Clear Creek Stud stallion Star Guitar and is out of the Saint Liam mare Moment of Majesty.
Star Moment returned $11.60 to win, $5.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Kyle Beauty paid $4.60 to place, $3.40 to show and Louisiana Liberty returned $4.20 to show.
FLASHY MEG FINISHES STRONG TO WIN CREOLE LADY STAKES
Flashy Meg Pulls Away to Win the Cajun Miss Stakes at EVD. Coady Photography
John Sargent’s Flashy Meg battled through some fast early fractions but had plenty in the tank to pull away in the $60,000 Creole Lady. Away sharply under Jockey Joe Stokes, Flashy Meg was joined by Wupkar as they zipped through an opening quarter-mile in 21.79 seconds and a half-mile in 45.35 in the stake for 3-year-old and up filly and mares.
As the field moved to the top of the lane, the leading duo was being chased by First I’ve Seen and Snowball was starting a wide run. In the run to the wire Flashy Meg found some extra energy and pulled clear to win by two lengths. Wupkar battled on to hold second, a half-length better than First I’ve Seen. Favored Snowball’s run flattened out as she finished fourth. The final time for the 5-1/2 furlongs was 1:04.63.
Trained by Kearney Segura, Flashy Meg wins for the fifth time from 15 career starts. She earned $36,000 in the victory and increases her bankroll to $174,050.
Bred by Steven Miller, the 4-year-old is a dark bay or brown filly sired by Flashpoint. She is out of the West Acre mare Meg’s Answer.
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